GAINESVILLE | Florida’s defense has forced three turnovers this season. Lerentee McCray can claim two of them.

The redshirt senior has successfully stepped in at the Buck linebacker/defensive end position for the injured Ronald Powell, becoming UF’s primary pass rusher. McCray also intercepted a pass and caused another in Florida’s 37-20 victory at Tennessee on Saturday. The second pick occurred in the third quarter with the scored tied at 20-all. McCray hit Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray as he threw the ball. The pass floated, and UF safety Matt Elam caught it. Florida scored a touchdown off the turnover.

“Defensively, Lerentee McCray played an outstanding game,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said. “He’s got an outstanding motor, a guy that plays hard all the time. He had a big interception and then caused an interception for Matt Elam later on in the game. He continues to play well for us and gives us a lot of good rush on the edge.”

The 6-foot-3, 249-pound McCray has become UF’s top defensive playmaker as the 14th-ranked Gators (3-0, 2-0) prepare to host Kentucky (1-2) in a Southeastern Conference game Saturday. He’s the only UF player to have an interception, a sack and a forced fumble. McCray also has 1.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

McCray’s rush ability has help fill a void left by Powell, who led UF in sacks last season but who will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the spring game.

“He pretty much can do it all,” Florida linebacker Jon Bostic said. “He can drop in coverage. He can rush the quarterback. He’s physical. He’s everything you want in a player.”

McCray started five times last season but missed four of the last five games with a shoulder injury. The setback was especially disappointing for McCray as he barely played during his first three years on the team.

“The more difficult point was hearing everybody back home talking to my parents and stuff,” said McCray, an Ocala native. “Just asking my mom what is going on with me and all that. That and just a couple of injuries that bumped me down the road. That’s been the hardest part, but I have been able to overcome it.”

McCray has also battled the pressure of having to help support his family. His mom raised him as a single parent, and his oldest brother has been in prison for years. McCray also has a 17-year-old brother.

“I have a lot of motivation coming from the family that I come from,” McCray said. “My momma comes from a single-parent home. My oldest brother I looked up to, he went to jail when I was in high school, and he’s still locked up to this day. So just not having him there and having to step up and kind of be the man of my house.”

McCray is making the most of his last chance to impress NFL teams. His speed has always been an asset, but he’s gained in strength to become more of an all-around rusher.

“He’s rushing the passer extremely well,” Muschamp said. “He’s a threat off the edge, but he’s also a heavy-handed guy. He can really get his hands on people and get them off of him. He’s a guy that can convert speed to power in the rush, which is critical for a speed rusher.”